Page 127 of Reaper’s Wrath

My jaw plummets. “Oh my God! Are you serious? When? Were you pregnant that whole time?”

Evie nods with a chuckle. “I’m serious, and yes, I think it happened right before you arrived on the boat.”

Elio gives Michael a congratulatory pat on the back. “That’s incredible news. I’m relieved you don’t have to be on the run in the process.”

“Me, too,” Michael agrees. “That would have been a nightmare. And actually, that’s helped us decide where we want to go from here.”

“Oh yeah?” Elio asks. He told me Michael was considering whether to make a play to take over the Bratva. He’d been high up in leadership under Biba before his death.

Michael purses his lips. “Yeah, we’ve decided it’s best for us to step away. This sort of opportunity doesn’t happen often. Whoever takes over will have their hands full maintaining control. I’ll be the last thing on their minds, so long as I don’t make any waves. We don’t need the money, and with a baby on the way, it’s the best move for us.”

I smile at Evie, who looks positively ecstatic. I’m so genuinely thrilled for her that I scoot half out of my chair to give her a hug. “You’re going to be an incredible mama,” I tell her.

“Thank you, sweetie.”

While we have our exchange, Elio continues his conversation with Michael.

“Do you have any idea what you’ll do, aside from family life?”

Michael grins. “No fucking clue. How about you? Figured out what your plans are here in the city?”

Elio huffs. “Nope.”

“Interesting.” Michael’s eyes glint mischievously. “Both of us … unemployed—two guys who made a great team. It may be something to consider.”

Evie and I exchange a look full of intrigue.

Elio’s lips tug down in a contemplative frown. “Dealing with you on a permanent basis? I’m not so sure about that.”

“You can pretend all you want,” Michael says with a cocky wave of his wrist. “I know you love me.”

Evie and I burst out laughing. Even Elio shakes his head and chuckles.

“I’ll consider it. Will that work?” El asks.

Michael grins. “That works.”

We toast to new beginnings with a round of non-alcoholic champagne and enjoy one of the best dinners I can remember attending. Hopefully, that now entails all the dinners I’ve been to.

Regardless, with Elio at my side, every new day is another happy memory in the making.

CHAPTER 64

ELIO

“I’m going to head up—DiAngelo’s here. You’re welcome to join us, you know.” I give Isa a quick kiss where she sits reclined in bed watching TV.

“That’s sweet, but I want you two to have some time together. I’m fine right here.”

“Don’t think you have to hide down here⁠—"

She points at the bedroom door, a brow arched. “Go, Elio. Hang out with your brother.” Her tone is kind but firm—she’s not giving me an inch of wiggle room, which is probably best. My nerves are acting up more than I expected.

“Yeah, yeah.” I head up to the main level and out to the deck at the same time D reaches the boat.

“Damn, you really live in this thing?” he calls up to me, gaze scouring my boat.

“Sure do. Come aboard, and I’ll show you around.”